Economically efficient flood protection standards for theNetherlands

Abstract Within the context of the D utch D elta P rogramme, economically efficient flood protection standards for the entire N etherlands were calculated using a recently developed methodology for cost‐benefit analysis and up‐to‐date insights into flood risk assessment. This results in economically efficient flood protection standards for different parts of the N etherlands that significantly differ from current legal flood protection standards. The cost‐benefit analysis shows that it is economically efficient to raise protection standards especially along the rivers R hine and M euse, while for many dike ring areas in the coastal region, existing legal flood protection standards seem relatively high. An additional M onte C arlo analysis shows that in light of many uncertainties, these are also robust conclusions. The cost‐benefit analysis does not support a general increase of the legal flood protection standards for all flood‐prone areas in the N etherlands by (at least) a factor 10, as was recommended by the (second) D elta C ommittee in 2008.